Debra McGuire agreed to work on New Girl because of her long-standing relationship with Jake Johnson, who she had worked with since he was 22 years old. Jake was instrumental in bringing her on board.
Debra McGuire used Crayola crayons as inspiration for Jessica Day's wardrobe because of her personal connection to Crayola crayons from childhood, and to create a vibrant, colorful look that reflected Jessica's character as the center of the ensemble.
Debra McGuire focused on the color palette to ensure the ensemble looked cohesive on screen, treating the cast as a painting that needed to look beautiful together, rather than focusing on individual fashion statements.
Debra McGuire made most of Zoe's outfits because her character had a 1950s silhouette, and custom-made pieces were necessary to achieve the desired look, especially to highlight her waist.
Debra McGuire advised Hannah to wear the green dress to the Golden Globe Awards because she reassured her that it didn't matter what others were wearing, and that Hannah should wear what felt good to her, boosting her confidence.
The bird shirts became an obsession for Winston's character as part of his character evolution and personal style development, which was influenced by the writers and the creative team, rather than any specific foreshadowing in the show.
Debra McGuire had a special relationship with the cast and crew of New Girl because she treated them like family, providing care and support, and creating a collaborative and nurturing environment that went beyond the professional aspects of the show.
Debra McGuire chose to work on projects in LA to be close to her family, as she was raising children and needed to balance her career with family responsibilities. She prioritized projects that allowed her to stay in LA.
Debra McGuire now only works with people she loves because she has reached a point in her career where she can be selective and prioritize projects that are both creatively fulfilling and enjoyable, leading to a more collaborative and positive work environment.
Debra McGuire decided to write a book about her career to share her insights on the creative process and the life changes required to succeed in the industry, drawing from her experiences in three different careers.
Hannah sits down with costume designer Debra McGuire for the first time since New Girl went off the air to discuss her epic career. Debra breaks down the art of crafting costumes for an ensemble cast. Plus, she tells us how Crayola Crayons impacted the Jessica Day wardrobe.
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